Shoe structure



Jan. 14, 1941. w. J. BARGEN SHOE STRUCTURE Filed May 8. 1939 2 Sheefs-Sheet 1 Jan. 14, 1941. w, J, BARGEN 2,228,382

snow STRUCTURE Filed May 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 14, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to a shoe structure designed primarily for use in connection with pedestals of school room furniture, or a combined desk and chair, but it is to be understood that a shoe structure, in accordance with this invention is for employment in connection with any other object for which it may be found applicable.

The invention aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a shoe structure for securing to the bottom of an article of furniture and which constitutes not only a floor protecting medium, but also a medium to prevent the slipping or skidding of the article to which it is attached.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manlo ner as hereinafter set forth, a composite shoe structure for the purpose referred to having a core formed from spring steel.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a composite shoe structure for connection to the bottom of an article of furniture and acting as a friction means to arrest the-slipping or skidding of the article when the latter is in use.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a composite shoe structure for application to the bottom of an article of furniture of a type having as an element thereof a supporting pedestal, and with the structure including corner pieces or blocks having cores of spring steel so that if one tips the article forwardly or backwardly the spring action of the cores tends to throw the article back into normal position and in this way the stability of the article is increased and tipping of the article by the user becomes more difficult.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a composite shoe structure for the purpose referred toincluding corner pieces or blocks having connected thereto side pieces or strips and with the structure so formed as to permit of using the corner pieces independent of the side pieces when desired.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a shoe structure for connection to the bottom surface of an article of furniture such as the bottom surface of a supporting pedestal for a desk, said structure so.

a combination of two different materials, one having a non-frictional or sliding characteristic and the other frictional or non-slidable characteristic, whereby to provide for the desk or other supported structure staying put in any desired placement or for the ready movability thereof when desired by tilting the same and sliding it on the shoes of slidable or non-frictional material.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a composite shoe structure for application to the bottom of an article of furniture, such as a desk and with the structure having a metallic core formed of spring steel or other resilient metal which permits floating of the core over uneven floor sections.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a shoe structure for the purpose referred to which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, readily assembled, thoroughly efficient in its use, expeditiously connected to the article of furniture with which it is to be used, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Embodying the aims aforesaid and others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

.In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a shoe structure in accordance with this invention,

Figure 2 is an inverted plan view of a pedestal for a chair, desk or combined desk and chair showing the adaptation therewith of a shoe structure in accordance with this invention, the structure being broken away,

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the side pieces or shoes of one pair forming elements of the struc ture,

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the side pieces or shoes of the other pair forming elements of the structure,

Figure 5 is a plan view illustrating the form of the combined couples and corner pieces or blocks,

Figure 6 is a section on lines 6-6 Figure 3,

Figure 7 is a section on lines 1-1 Figure 3,

Figure 8 is a section on lines 88 Figure 4,

Figure 9 is a section on lines 99 Figure 4,

Figure 10 is a section on line l0l0 Figure 5, upon an enlarged scale with respect to Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9.

Figure 11 is a section on line llll Figure 5, upon an enlarged scale with respect to Figures 6, '7, 8 and 9.

Figure 12 is a section on lines l2i2 Figure 2, upon an enlarged scale with respect to Figures 6, '7, 8 and 9.

Figure 13 is a section on lines i3l3 Figure 1 upon an enlarged scale, and

Figure 14 is a detail in vertical section.

The composite shoe structure when assembled is to be of a contour corresponding to the outline of the bottom of an article of furniture to which the structure is attached. By way of example, the adaptation of the shoe structure is shown in connection with the hollow base of a pedestal adapted to support a chair, a desk or a combined desk and chair. The chair and desk are not shown. The said base will be substantially of pyramidal form. The sides of the base will be incurved, that is to say, in cross section to correspond to the segment of a circle. The base will have rounded corners and an opening at each corner. The form of pedestal base shown will correspond to the form of base as disclosed by Patent 2,150,903 granted to me March 21, 1939.

As shown the shoe structure includes four combined coupling and corner pieces or blocks of like form, a pair of side pieces or strips of like form, and another pair of side pieces or strips of like form. Each corner piece is formed of a flared body having a rounded end and a pair of oppositely disposed rearwardly inclined edges at its other end. Each side piece is of arcuate contour. The side pieces of each pair are oppositely disposed and each is arranged to extend upon an inwardly directed curve from its ends. The side pieces of a pair are of corresponding length, but the side pieces of one pair are of a greater length than the pieces of the other pair. The side pieces of shortest length are arranged at the front and rear of the pedestal. The side pieces of greatest length are arranged at the sides of the pedestal base. The corner pieces are disposed at the corners of and extend upon a part of the sides of the pedestal base. The corner pieces are to be secured to the corners of the pedestal base and are to have the side pieces detachably connected thereto. The corner pieces are of a width to extend in opposite directions laterally from the bottom surface of the corners and sides of the pedestal base. The side pieces are of a width to extend in opposite directions laterally from the lower surface of the sides of the pedestal base.

The hollow pedestal base is generally indicated at 1, its curved sides at 2, 3, 4, and 5 and its corners at 8. The said corners are rounded and formed with opening I.

The shoe structure generally indicated at 8 consists of four combined coupling and corner pieces or blocks 9, a pair of oppositely disposed side pieces or strips Ill, 5 i and a pair of oppositely disposed side pieces or strips [2, l3. Each corner piece or block 9 will be hereinafter referred to as a corner shoe member. The side piece I will be hereinafter referred to as a front shoe member. The side piece II will be hereinafter referred to as a rear shoe member and the side pieces l2, l3 will be hereinafter referred to as side shoe members. As the front and rear of the pedestal base is shown as of less width than the width of the sides of the pedestal base the front and rear shoe members will be of less length than the side shoe members.

Each of the corner and side pieces is in the form of a composite structure including a core or inner section and an outer section. The outer section is moulded above and disposed in encompassing relation with respect to the inner section. The cores of the corner pieces are completely embedded in the outer sections of such pieces. The cores of the side pieces are encompassed by and extend from the ends of the outer sections of such pieces. The cores of the said corner and side pieces will always be of steel or other metallic material. The outer sections of the side pieces will possess a compressible resilient characteristic to increase friction and will be formed of any suitable material such as rubber. The outer sections of the corner pieces may be formed of a material corresponding to the material from which the outer sections of the side pieces are formed of or they may be formed of Bakelite or any like substance which tends to decrease friction, as for example hard rubber or the like. Instead of using compressible resilient material for the outer sections of any of the corner pieces any other molded substance, which tends to decrease friction may be employed and by using this on two front corner pieces or two rear corner pieces, provide for friction when the desk is solidly on the floor and allow for sliding when the desk is picked up either from behind or from the front to glide on two points.

Each corner shoe member comprises a structure having a rounded outer end edge l4, a pair of oppositely flared side edges I5, a rear edge I6 formed of a pair of oppositely disposed rearwardly inclined edge portions, an upper face ll formed in its rear portion with a flared recess 18 opening at the top and rear end of said structure. The side wall l8 of the recess are oppositely outwardly inclined. The forward wall 49 of the recess is formed of a horizontally disposed inner part I9 and a pair of forwardly directed semi-circular end parts |9 having the rear ends of their inner sides merging into the ends of the part I9 Each corner shoe member is of composite form and includes a core or inner section 20 formed of metallic material preferably spring steel completely embedded in a body 2| or outer section. The latter possesses a frictional binding characteristic and preferably will be formed of rubber.

The core 26 is of an outline corresponding to the outline of and is disposed centrally of body 2 I. but spaced inwardly from the edges of such body. The core 26 is provided with an opening 22 intersected by the longitudinal median thereof. The opening 22 is spaced inwardly from the outer end of the core. Formed integral with the upper face of core 20 and forming a continuation of opening 22 is an upstanding interiorly threaded sleeve 23 of a length to have its upper end flush with the nonrecessed part of the upper face of body 2|. The core 21] is formed between the opening 22 and its rear end with a pair of spaced horizontally aligned openings 24 positioned below the forward part of the bottom of recess l8. The core 20 is also formed with a pair of upstanding sleeves 25 which form continuations of the walls of the openings 24. The sleeves 25 are of a length to have their upper ends flush with the bottom of the .recess l8 and in alignment with the ends of the forward wall part 19 The sleeve 23 is of greater diameter than the sleeve 25 and when the corner shoe'member 8 is arranged relative to the pedestal base the said sleeve 23 aligns with opening I.

The front, rear and side shoe members are of like form, but as here shown the front and rear shoe members are of less length than the side shoe members. The shoe memberslll, H, I2 and I3 are of composite form and each consists of a core or inner section 3| and a body or outer section 32, the latter possessing-a frictional binding characteristic and preferably the body 32 will be formed of rubber. The core 3| is embedded in and extends from each end of body 32. The core 3| is of strap-like form and constructed from metallic material preferably spring steel. As stated the core 3| extends from each end of body 32 and the extending portions of core 31 are indicated at 33, 34. The said portions 33, 34 are of like form and oppositely disposed and each consists of an upstanding outwardly inclined inner part 35 merging at its upper end into the inner end of a horizontally disposed outer part 36. The part 36 is of greater length than part 35, is formed in proximity to its free end with an opening 31 for alignment with a sleeve 25 and has its free end rounded.

The shoe members II], II, l2 and I3 are to be connected to the corner shoe members 9, and when connected, the horizontally disposed parts 36 of the cores 3| are seated in the recesses I8 with the openings 31 aligned with the sleeves 25 and the rounded ends of the parts 36 arranged against the wall parts 19*. The cores 3| are secured to the shoe members 9 by the holdfast means 38 extending through the openings 3'! and engaging with the sleeves 25. Whenthe elements of the shoe structure are connected together in the manner as aforesaid, the said structure would appear as shown in Figure 1. After the shoe structure is assembled, it is arranged against the lower surface of the pedestal base in a manner as shown by Figure 2, and then connected to the pedestal base by the holdfast means 39 extending through the openings 1 and engaging with the sleeves 23.

As the elements of the shoe structure are detachably connected togetherit permits of the corner shoe members 9 being used independently of the other of the shoe members.

When the shoe structure is attached to the pedestal base it is disposed in laterally extended relation in opposite directions with respect to the lower surface of the pedestal base to provide a satisfactorily frictional engagement of such structure with the floor.

The holdfast means 39 extending through the openings 1 and engaging in the sleeves 23 are in the form of 4-20 flat head machine screws so that the same openings in the pedestal may be used for the passage of holdfast means to secure the pedestal directly to the floor. The holdfast means 39 in connection with the sleeves 23 detachably secure the shoe structure to the pedestal base.

When the shoe structure is secured to the pedestal base, the holdfast means 38, which are in the form of screws have their heads arranged against opposed portions of the inner faces of the rounded lower corners of the pedestal and such face portions act to arrest the anti-clockwise turning of such screws whereby these latter are locked in securing position and the separation of the shoe members are prevented.

Screw heads 38 in the position shown are used as locks against the inside rim of the pedestal to keep the corner parts from turning and to keep the entire shoe always in alignment with the flare lines of the pedestal at the floor. In other words, the 4-20 machine screw in the pedestal points attaches the corner blocks; then the side and front and rear shoes are attached with screws, the heads of which at the same time lock the corner parts solidly against the pedestal rims.

The attachment of the shoes according to this invention will provide a desk or other structure frictionally held against undesirable movement across the floor yet readily movable when desired, without permanent or fixed attachment to the floor as by screws or the like.

What I'claim is:

1. In a shoe structure a combined coupling and corner shoe member having the rear portion of its upper face formed with a recess opening at its top and rear end, said member comprising an outer section having embedded therein a resilient metallic core formed with an opening adjacent one end and a pair of spaced openings adjacent its other end non-aligning with said other opening, said core having formed integral with its upper face an upstanding threaded sleeve for 0011-. necting therewith a holdfast device, said sleeve having its inner end aligning with said single opening and of a length to extend to the non-recessed part of the upper face of the shoe, and said core having formed integral with its upper face a pair of upstanding interiorly threaded spaced sleeves for connecting therewith holdfast devices, said sleeves having their inner ends aligning with the openings of said pair and being of a length to extend to the bottom of said recess.

2. In a shoe structure for the purpose set forth, composite corner shoe members formed of bodies having metallic resilient cores embedded therein, said members having the rear portion of their upper faces formed with recesses having open rear ends, front, rear and side composite shoe members including bodies having parts of metallic resilient cores embedded therein, said cores including end terminal portions disposed in extended relation with respect to the ends of said front, rear and side shoe members, said end portions having their outer parts offset with respect to their inner parts, the bodies of the said front, rear and side shoe members. positioned between and in juxtaposition to the inner ends of the corner shoe members and with the said offset parts seated on the bottoms of said recesses, and means extending through the said offset parts and engaging with the cores of said corner shoe members for connecting the latter to the front, rear and side shoe members.

3. In a shoe structure for the purpose set forth, a plurality of shoe members of like form disposed in angular relation and detachably connected one with the other, each of said members being formed of a strip-like body of compressible resilient material of arcuate contour, a resilient metallic strap-like core of arcuate contour having the major part of its length embeddedin said body, said core having its remaining part constituting the end terminal portions thereof extended in upposite directions from the ends of said body, each of said end terminal portions including an outwardly inclined inner part and a horizontal outer part extending from the outer end of said inner part.

4. In a shoe structure for the purpose referred to, corner shoe members each having the rear portion of the upper face thereof formed with a recess opening at said face and the rear end of the member, said recess including a front wall formed with a pair of spaced forwardly directed parts, front, rear and side shoe members disposed between and in juxtaposition to the inner ends of said corner shoe members, the said shoe members other than the corner shoe members including cores having end terminal portions formed with parts seated in said recesses and extended into the forwardly directed parts of the front wall of the recesses, and means for securing the portions of said cores extended into the forwardly directed parts of the front walls of said recesses to said corner shoe members.

5. A shoe structure comprising corner shoe members formed with metallic cores possessing a resilient characteristic, side shoe members arranged between the corner shoe members and formed with metallic cores possessing a resilient characteristic the cores of the side shoe members having exposed end terminal portions seated in said corner shoe members, and means for connecting said end terminal portions to said corner shoe members.

6. A shoe structure for the purpose set forth comprising molded corner shoe members each consisting of an outer section and an inner section embedded in the outer section, the material of which the inner section is formed being different from the material of the outer section, molded side shoe members each formed of an inner and an outer section encompassing the major portion of the length of and formed of a different material from the material of the inner section, said side shoe members each having its inner section extended from the ends of its outer section, the outer sections of said side shoe members being arranged between said corner shoe members, each of said side shoe members having the extended portions of its inner section offset and seated in the top of the corner shoe members, and means for securing the extending portions of the inner sections of the side shoe members to the corner shoe members.

7. In a shoe structure, front, rear and side shoe members each formed of a body of compressible resilient material and a core of spring metal extending through and projecting from each end of said body, a pair of front corner and a pair of rear corner shoe members each formed of a body of a compressible resilient material having embedded therein a core of spring metal, means for connecting the projecting portions of the cores of the front, rear and side shoe members with the rear part of the cores of the corner shoe members for securing the front, rear and side shoe members between and in juxtaposition to the corner shoe members, and the front part of the cores of the corner shoe members being provided with means for securing thereto a means for connecting the shoe structure in active position.

8. In a shoe structure for a hollow pedestal base of that type having a front, a rear and a pair of side parts, front and'rear lower corner parts merging into the said side parts and opposed inner face portions in proximity to each of corner parts, said shoe structure comprising in combination corner shoe members for disposing against the lower faces of said corner parts and portions of the lower surface of the said side parts of the base, front, rear and side shoe members for disposing against the remaining portions of the lower surfaces of the said side parts of the base, means for securing the corner shoe members against said corner and side parts, and headed holdfast devices for connecting said side shoe members to said corner shoe members, the heads of said devices being extended above said corner shoe members for engagement by said opposed inner face parts of the base for locking said devices'in connecting relation with respect to said corner and side shoe members.

9. A shoe structure for the purpose set forth comprising spaced aligned corner shoe members formed with metallic cores, possessing a resilient characteristic, side shoe members arranged between the corner shoe members and formed with metallic cores possessing a. resilient characteristic, the cores of said side shoe members having exposed and terminal portions overlapping said corner shoe members, and means for connecting said end terminal portions to said corner shoe members.

10. A shoe structure for the purpose set forth I comprising spaced aligned corner shoe members formed with metallic cores, possessing a resilient characteristic, side shoe members arranged between the corner shoe members and formed with metallic cores possessing a resilient characteristic, the cores of said side shoe members having exposed and terminal portions overlapping said corner shoe members, and headed holdfast devices for connecting said end terminal portions to said corner shoe member, the heads of said devices being extended above corner shoe members.

WILLIAM J. BARGEN. 

